Can't Live Without - Joanne Phillips

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Product Description

How does it feel to lose everything you own?

Stella Hill is proud of the home she's created for herself and her daughter. She's worked hard to buy the very best of everything ... But when she wakes one morning to find her kitchen on fire, Stella knows her life will never be the same again.

At least she has Paul to lean on: Paul Smart, owner of Smart Homes, confirmed bachelor and unknowing recipient of a schoolgirl crush Stella never quite got over ... When the charismatic John Dean turns up after sixteen years, Stella is determined not to fall for him again. Because now her heart belongs elsewhere. Or does it?

With a boss she's half in love with, a teenage daughter about to go seriously off the rails, a spendaholic mother, and a house to rebuild, Stella's problems are only just beginning.

Can Stella put her life - and her home - back together again? And will she ever realise just what it is she really can't live without?

Laugh-out-loud funny, warm and compelling, this is for readers who love their chick lit with a bit of an edge. Ideal for fans of Fiona Gibson and Carole Matthews.

My Thoughts

I have to say i did like the characters a lot especially Stella and Paul, they have a lot of banter going among them and i did find myself laughing.

Stella's daughter Lipsy felt very real, I remember feeling the same way. I would of liked to have seen her point of view more, and I like the way her character develops she feels very real.

There are a lot of other character I did not care too much for, as I did feel she was packing too much story in this book. Now i do like is was not the normal basic boy and girl like each other. But this one goes a bit OTT, now heres all the basic drama and little side stories:


Stella - House being burnt down (this is the main story)

Stella - Relationship with her daughter Lipsy 19 (has an older boyfriend whos 30)

Stella - Relationship with her mum (spends money she doesn't have)

Stella - Relationship with her dad (In prison, she hates him for what hes done)

Stella - Relationship with Paul (her boss, as well as friend as well as lover interest)

Stella - Relationship with her daughters dad (he left, dead beat dad, just turns up, still likes him?)

Stella - Relationship with her brother (left when their dad got sent down)

Stella - Hates her mum lodger who's taking advantage

Lipsy - Relationship with her mum Stella

Lipsy - Relationship with her dad

Lipsy - Relationship with her boyfriend

Paul - Something that happens between him and his ex (don't want spoilers)


As you can see there are many different problems to deal with and side stories to keep up with. The weird thing is towards the end of the book they get resolved just as easy. Its like there was a tick box just going down a list of the problems and writing solutions. Towards the end also kept re-playing events and I was starting to get bored.

I also found it hard to follow at times it would change the point of view, from diary entry to the here and now.

It's an OK book but with far too much going on, the character saved it for me. Lipsy is a typical teen and i really liked her, Stella and Paul were very funny, even Mr. Waitrose I loved him.

I would read more of Joanne Phillip books just for the fact she writes the characters so well.

I would give this book 2.5/5

And i will leave you with my favorite lines in the book

"I feel Paul stiffen by my side - and I don't mean that in a good way"